The Early Days

To get teams started in 1990, there were all the logistical problems - find coaches, make them get qualifications, advertise their qualifications, find sponsors, sew linesman's flags, arrange venues, council meetings, and zone meetings. There seems to be no end to the obstacles encountered in getting boys onto the paddock. In the end the answer, as always, is to have a few willing workers.

There are a few anecdotes of how different things were in the "early days":

• The first training run for the juniors (for three teenage teams) was attended by seven players; at Barden Park; we had no footballs. When asked to run 25 metres and back two of the players tripped over! (Three years later one of those players passed a ball to the other who scored a try to win our 1st U15 Grand Final).
• Kids were 'picked on' by various 'bullies' when going to and from training during our first two years, presumably for wanting to play such a strange sport.
• Parental involvement (and acceptance!) gradually increased. One factor is certain - the greater the involvement, the greater the on-field performance of a boy.
• Our first skills day was organised in August 1991 when Warren Robilliard came from Sydney and coached the likes of Drew Irwin (later N.S.W. primary school`s fullback), Joe Coles (Zone Rep. Player and member of several premiership sides), Paul Elliott (current captain of Stannies 1st XV).
• Shortly after our first skills day, a touring team from Toowoomba came to play our 13's, but decided our boys were too big and requested we "downsize" the team!

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